Horse trainer Baffert suffers heart attack

Published 11:15 pm, Monday, March 26, 2012

Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert had a heart attack early Monday in Dubai where he was preparing to run Game On Dude in the $10 million Dubai World Cup.

Baffert's assistant, Jim Barnes, said from Santa Anita racetrack in Arcadia, Calif., that Baffert was "doing very good" after having three stents inserted in two arteries. Barnes said he had spoken to the trainer's wife, Jill, who had accompanied her husband to the Middle East.

Bernie Schiappa, co-owner of Game On Dude, said the 59-year-old trainer wasn't feeling well on the flight to Dubai.

"He had a heart attack, two arteries were blocked, 100 percent in one, 90 percent in the other," Schiappa said by phone from Dubai. "He had two stents put in one artery, one stent in the other."

She replaces Phyllis Fowler, who resigned last month to become the head volleyball coach and girls athletic coordinator at Navarro. Fowler was 493-174 and won two state championships (2000 and 2005) in 17 seasons at New Braunfels. She is 539-253 in 21 seasons overall.

Gerlich is 536-276 in a career that has spanned a quarter-century and included stops at La Vernia, Holmes, Churchill and Seguin. She has guided her teams to 17 playoff appearances, eight regional-tournament berths and two trips to the UIL state tournaments (Churchill in 1998, Seguin in 2009).

WNBA

Silver Stars' slate for preseason set: The Silver Stars will play a home-and-home preseason series with the Indiana Fever, the WNBA announced.

The teams will play May 5 at Trinity at 7 p.m., then May 9 at 11 a.m. in Indianapolis.

The Silver Stars open the regular season at Tulsa on May 19. Their first home game is May 30 against Chicago.

ARENA FOOTBALL

Talons' Nsekhe goes on injured reserve: Offensive lineman Ty Nsekhe, a former Texas State headliner, has been placed on injured reserve by the Talons. Nsekhe suffered a right knee sprain when he was hit after catching a pass in the team's 63-60 loss to the Spokane Shock on March 17.

Talons president Rob Yowell said Nsekhe will be eligible to play again by April 22 when the club travels to Arizona. The Talons (1-1) visit Orlando (0-2) on Thursday.

TENNIS

Roddick upsets Federer in Florida: Andy Roddick beat Roger Federer for only the third time in their 24 meetings, dominating with his serve to win 7-6 (4), 1-6, 6-4 in the third round at the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Fla.

Inter Milan dismiss coach Ranieri: Inter Milan fired Claudio Ranieri after a run of just one win in its last 10 league matches, culminating in a 2-0 loss to archrival Juventus a day earlier. Andrea Stramaccioni was promoted from youth club coach and will direct the first team.

Muamba out of bed, eating: Bolton's Fabrice Muamba has made "encouraging progress" in his recovery from cardiac arrest during a game March 17. A hospital statement says the 23-year-old was able to "sit out of bed for a short time, watch television and has begun to eat" over the weekend.

Havelange still in serious condition: Former FIFA president Joao Havelange remains hospitalized in serious condition because of an infection in his right ankle.